The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-06-29
THE CONvICT'S DAUGHTER

Nothing Of special note occurred TO re-
lieve the tediousness of his journey, he
arrived at his destination much shattered
and fatigued. Immediate rest was need
ed. so he sought boarding-house in
duh quiet part of the city, and for some
days enioved the seclusion and rest he so
much stood in need of. His meals were
brought to his room, and therefore he
had no opportunity to make the ac-
ouaintance of his fellow-boarders- The
house was run by matronly-looking wo-
man named Wentworth, whose only
weakness seemed TO be her yoluble
tongue. However, she atoned somewhat
for this in the excellent quality of her
menu. and as this is the paramount OBJ
iect sought for in boarding house, what
ever foibles she possessed in the eyes of
her tenants were graciously overlooked.
Her daughter, a comely young girl of
seventeen years, assisted her in the house
hold duties and in the evening usually
entertained the house with pleasing mu-
sic on the piano. One evening as har-
low was enjoying fragrant Havana in
his room. and m Dving retrospecuvely
over fond scenes snd faces, the soft plain
tive strains OF delicate but musical voice
seemed "a, s.aanate from the parlor be-
low. There WAS something unnatural in
the tone Of the voice that told him he
had never heard it there before. The
air spoke volumes of sadness and breath
ed such pathos and distress that he turn
ed involuntarily in his chair, and MOTTO
ing in the mirror at the other side of the
room what change it had wrought in
his features, he jumped up suddenly and
wa, about to shut out the voice from his
hearing, when il suddenly stopped. The
music had piqued his curiosity. He
would know the owner of that voice.
The chatting of two women below told
him that some lady friend of Bertha
Mrs. Wentworth's daaghter-was prob
ably paying her friendly visit. He
dressed himself hastily and repaired to
the parlor, where under the pretext OF
wishing to be called early in the morn
ing. he had the opportunity of seeing Ber-
tina. She seemed pleased to be Of service
TO him. The Rubicon passed, he was
soon engaged in delectable conversation
with Cora Lane, TO whom he had been in
troduced by Bertha.
OF all fair faces he had ever seen hen
was the fairest There was an air of mel.
ancholy suffusing the entire features that
seemed in keeping with the sad, blue
ewes the expression of which completely
charmed nim. Something indeiinable in
her sweet, gentle manner, felt its way
deeply into his breast and caused il tc
beat with rapture. He could have sat fol
hours and contemplated her lovely face
so great was his infatuation.
That night as he lay on his scouch, witt
the picture of one fair face engrossing hi
every thought, he felt, he knew, that Cor;
lane was the only woman he would eve
love- IL was late the next morning wher
he arose, despite the fact that Bertha hac
done his bidding
His first impulse was to rush to her anI
learn all she knew about Cora, but bette
judgment prevailed. He concluded Il
ascertain through quiet inquiries ali he
codld about his new found love. Bertha
however, anticipated him. She saw
with woman's quickness, the profoun,
admiration on his visage as he sat & gazins
at her friedd the night previous, and in
tuitively surmising that he wished Il
know something of her friend. told hin
of her own accord all that she knew
Cora was employed as a saleslady il
a millinery establishment. She wa
twenty years old, was supposed to be al
orphan, and came originally from th'
East
This was all Bertha knew Of her. al
though she dweit eloquently on her ami
able manners and goodness of heart.
Every night for two weeks Harlow saw
his love safely home, but not as an es
cort He could not nerve himself Il
meet those great blue eyes, for he fel
that the venture would lead him to
passionate avowal of the love that wa
surging against his heart like vast bill
low. No, he must strive TO beat dow
the vehement attachment that was al
most consuming him and let time shap
his fortunes
Harlow had passed two evenings at tn
house of Cora, and each time he set hi
ewes on her some newborn charm revea
ed itself TO his enamored vision. A eel
tain air of constant reserve in her dt
meanor awed down all efforts on his pal
to divulge the dictates of his heart.
the mellow gaze that wreathed her FAC
at times conveyed 10 his mind the lool
of reciprocal affection, its relaxation int
a moody, apathetic state dispelled the &
licitous thought Still his manner an
conversation appeared TO please and ei
tertain her, and at times she grew ell
quent in her responses
One gentle moonlight evening, whC
the stars studded the vaulted HEAVIER
with unwonted brilliancy and bracir
breezes stole softly through the trees an
flowers, bringing with them the inyigo
ating influences of a balmy evening
Nav. Harlow unbosomed his heart
her. lie told her in imprisoned ton
of his alteration; how life without h
would be dismal blank; how he hi
watched her night after night, and I,
happy 10 know that he was close TO d
woman whom he loved; how eagerly
had looked forward 10 the time when
could tell her all. She listened demul
", with down cast eyes, but uttered n
a word. That she did not reinonstra
with him reccnciled him to the bel
she spoke and her melodious voice thri
ed him with delight
She told him she dearly loved hi
loved him for his kindness 10 her; til
ever since she first saw him his lima
was indissolubly mingled with her d
dreams; every moment in his presen
seemed an hour of happiness to her.
These endearing words threw off t
restraint he had sustained, and in Z